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Everyone waits until the year is over to compile their “Best of whatever” movie lists. This has become a mundane practice. Time for a bit of a change, kids.

With just three months left in 2012, the onslaught of holiday/award season flicks are about to hit all of us in the coming weeks. And in preparation for this, yours truly gave this list a thorough vetting to make sure everything is where it needs to be so to speak (i.e. Why did I rank Resident Evil 5 so high initially? Is Wanderlust and Battleship still the worst these green eyes have seen?, etc., etc.).

Obviously, this past Friday’s releases (Looper, Won’t Back Down, Hotel Transylvania, and Pitch Perfect) also came into play; as each of them landed across the full spectrum of the below list.

The new releases for the respective week will have a capsule review at the end of the column. An updated list comes out every Monday. Here’s how things are shaking up so far in 2012:

It would work as a nice story in a newspaper or a feature on 60 Minutes. Even though the cast receives an A for their efforts, this bullet-point screenplay just doesn’t translate as a cinematic product.

Writer/director Rian Johnson decided to tackle a concept that can usually lead to gaping plot holes and continuity nightmares: Time travel. Very few flicks can maneuver in this arena (Back to the Future, Star Trek reboot, 12 Monkeys were successful ones); but Johnson’s tight script manages this tricky concept in a thoughtful manner.

If you would prefer a 3D animated film that has the allure of walking through a haunted house yet doesn’t have the gumption to stimulate the mind in the slightest – or is just simplistic enough for younger audiences to follow (admirable) – Hotel Transylvania is an ideal 91 minute excursion.

As for everyone else who enjoys the atmosphere of the Halloween holiday, and wants to receive an entertaining mental charge – and still have wholesome, and clever, fun – go see ParaNorman.

PITCH PERFECT (review coming this week)

Fans of GLEE will dig it. People who liked the raunchy female humor found in Bridesmaids – though toned down here – will be able to get into this. And admirers of coming-of-age flicks set in college can relate as well. Just like the title suggest, these 110 minutes are “Pitch Perfect” (mostly).

Joe Belcastro is an established movie critic in Tampa, Florida. As a member of the Florida Film Critics Circle, most of his time is spent reviewing upcoming movies. He also covers news pertaining to the film industry, on both a local and national level as well as conducting interviews. To contact Joe Belcastro regarding a story or with general questions about his services, please e-mail him and/or follow him on Twiiter @TheWritingDemon.